"The cows need milking, boss." The black-furred cow said it suddenly. Jacklyn. She's still facing away from you. Her arms are crossed. The brown-furred cow sees the confusion on your face. She begins to look worried herself.
"Oh-- J, chill out!" She-- Billie-- says in a reassuring tone. She has her cloven hands up, as if to tell Jacklyn to ease off. "She's just upset because she hasn't been milked today." This is directed at you. You look at her, still confused. She seems to misunderstand why you were confused in the first place. "I-it's my fault, master-- boss!" She grits her flat teeth as soon as the words come out.
"You know he hates that word Billie." Jacklyn says suddenly and very sharply. She goes on like she's trying to distract you. "Yeah, Billie was taking too long. Don't know why, since she knows we had to go shopping today."
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to take so long." Billie said back. She still had her hands up, defensively now.
"Well. That's fine." You finally say. You rub your neck-- you barely understand this conversation. "We can go home now. Do it then." This is so foreign to you. They keep saying or implying that you own them. You're not sure if that sits right with you. Or even suits you. Hell, you can barely handle yourself. Now you suddenly coordinate two other people daily. Billie takes you out of your thoughts.
"Well. I didn't get to get milked either." Jacklyn shoots Billie a glare. "I think the milking machine is broken! I'm sorry, but I just couldn't get it to turn on this morning!"
"You took all morning and you didn't tell anyone?" The black-furred cow said flatly to the other.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know what to do, and I didn't want to be accused of breaking it!" Billie is starting to get weepy. You realize she's apologized three times already, even though you just drove into her ten minutes ago. This probably isn't good for her mental health. You catch yourself. You just learned you're responsible for her and already she's making you feel guilty.
"Again, it's fine." You say to ease the brown-furred cow. "I'll just milk you-- both of you-- when we get back." That's what you're supposed to do when you own cows, right?
"You will?" They both say it-- together. The sudden change in their demeanor as well shocks you. Jacklyn is suddenly not so cold, and Billie's tail is even starting to swish about. Was it dumb to say that? They're half-cows, so it makes sense that milking would be that important to them. But did you just commit to something you shouldn't have? There's a feeling in your gut again.
"All right then. Let's get going then." Jacklyn is in mid-turn as she speaks. Her udder has to catch up she turns so fast. She's walking toward some vehicle you've never seen before. She seems to have forgotten that her brown-furred sister is injured. Her hooves clop loudly against the asphalt. She's excited for sure.
"I know you'll want to observe me to make sure my injuries won't affect me, but it's probably best I go with Jacklyn." Billie turns in the same direction as Jacklyn, clearly favoring her other leg. "With a bruise like this, and your car seat having barely enough room for my udder, I can't imagine trying to keep my leg comfortable." She grins. Just as quickly, she's off. Before she makes her way however, she gives you the binoculars. "Don't drive off with this still on the trunk. I'm not sure why you brought it with the first aid kit but I know you know what's best for me." You take it silently from her. You're not sure how she managed to pick that up without you noticing. She nods and follows behind Jacklyn, still heading towards some vehicle that you have no idea what looks like.
You watch her walk for a bit. She's got one cloven hand on her leg, but she's otherwise walking fine. Dang this was weird. You still feel guilty about running her over. Well you have the ability to make it up to her now. Outside of the legal system, that is. You look at the binoculars in your hands. Is this a better alternative? Doesn't matter now. A bit winded from the whole situation that just played out, you get back in your car. The binoculars are set gingerly onto the passenger seat. Door's closed. The car has been on the entire time. At least the air is cool. You shift into reverse. You do reverse-- watching the rear view mirror this time. No distractions. No more incidents. As you drive towards the parking lot exit, you wonder what to do and where to drive. Do you even live in the same spot? Do you even know how to milk a cow properly?